Purchase Solution

Stable and unstable equilibrium

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

A metal ball (mass m) with a hole through it is threaded on a frictionless horizontal rod. A massless stirring (length l) attached to the ball runs over and massless, frictionless pully and supports a block of mass M. (a) Write down the potential energy U(ᶿ). (The PE is given easily in terms of the heights shown as H and h. Estimate these two variables in favor of ᶿ and the constant b and l. Assume that the pulley and ball have negligible size). b) by differentiating U(ᶿ) find whether this system has an equilibrium position, and for what values of M and m equilibrium can occur. Discuss the stability of any equilibrium positions.

I have done problems similar to this but not with quite this set up. Outline of solution please.

Attachments
Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Two masses connected by string and pulley and to consider the condition for equilibrium.

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
The Moon

Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.

Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials

This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.